Rail



June 13, 1950 w, W, McQUA|D Erl-M A 2,511,361

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /zg r/ umu Filed NOV. l, 1947 Jgne 13, 195o w. w. vMczuum ET AL RAIL Filed Nov. l, 1947 Jaw A rramvsrs `ange that presents the riding surface.

Patented June 13, 1950 aan.

William W. McQuaid, Cairo, W. Va., and George R. McQnaid, Fairiield, Ohio, assignors of onethird to Ora C. McQuaid, Faireld, Ohio Application November l, 1947, Serial No. 783,532

'nos invention has to do with the raus that are commonly employed in the construction of railroads, street railways, and the like, and is concerned primarily with the construction'of a rail per se. Y

At the present time it is the prevalent practice in the iield of railroad construction to employ a rail, the design of which is now looked upon as standard. 'Ihis design consists essentially of a vertical cross-section defined by a wide bottom iiange, a vertical web, and a narrow thick ton While rails of this type are sometimes employed with varying degrees of weight the standard rail weighs one hundred and twelve pounds to the yard.

Following present day practice, after a rail has been in use for a considerable time and become so worn as to seriously impair its utility it is discarded because, so far as railroad purposes are concerned, it is useless. Moreover, even after a rail has been in use for only a comparatively short time the meeting edges at the joints be- In some cases, the cracks which usually appear along the line of the tie plate bolts give rise to large chunks of rail actuallv becoming separated Claims. '(Cl. 238-143).

from the remainder of the rail and become a pol tential source of accident.

With the foregoing conditions of the prior art in mind, the present invention has in view, as its foremost objective. the provision of a rail of the type indicated which is of a composite construction that substantially obviates the undesirable features above noted.

In carrying out this idea a rail is provided which consists of a base having the same general cross-section as the standard rail heretobefore used with the exception that the vertical web and top flange are thinner and smaller respectively. Covering the web and top flange is a lining which presents the riding surface of the rail.

Another object of the invention is to provide,

in a composite rail of the character indicated. a

. .2 able. This permits of replacement ofworn linings with new ones.

'Still another highly important object of the invention is to provide a railroad including a rail made up of a plurality of composite sections with the joints between the meeting edges of adjacent base sections covered by the linings. These linings', therefore, overlap the joints between the base sections and prevent any distortion or cracking of the rail at the joints so as to eliminate the undesirable "clicking and clacking, also breakage of the rail.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a composite rail of the character noted which is susceptible of joinder to an old standard type rail. This end is readily achieved by providing lining sections of half length. When a new composite rail section abuts an old standard rail this half length of lining abuts the old standard rail and the joint may be completed by the usual iish plates that are bolted to the two.

Various other more detailed objects and ad-v vantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above-noted ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description oi' the invention proceeds.

'I'he invention therefore comprises a composite rail consisting of a. base having a wide ilange at the bottom, a thin vertical web, and a small flange or enlargement at the top of the web. Covering the web and top ilange is a lining which preferably consists of a top part and sidewalls which enclose the web and top flange of the base. This lining is removable.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a railroadinclud ing rails designed in accordance with the precepts of this invention. In this view a portion of one rail is broken away and shown in section to bring out details of construction,

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation showing one rail as applied to the ties,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed perspective of one portion of one rail,

Figure 4 is'a side view, comparable to Figure 2, bringing out a joint between'one of the new composite railsl and an old standard rail,

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed perspective with parts broken away and show n in section bringing out the joint shown in Figure 4,

spinaci Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed section through one of the joints including the tie plates, and,

Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed perspective showing another form of lining which may be used.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters denote corresponding parts and, more particularly to Figure 1, an ordinary railroad is shown asincluding a plurality of ties T, s. pair of rails R are anchored to the ties-T by spikes shown at i0. If desired, iron sleeper plates may be interposed between the rails R and ties T in a well-known manner.

Each of the rails R is of a composite construction comprising a ybase designated generally B and a lining referred to in its entirety by the reference character L. As is clearly brought out in Figure 6, the base B consists of a bottom flange I I that is fairly wide and conforms generally to the dimensions of the corresponding part in the old standard rail. Upstanding from the central portion of this flange `I| is a thickened pedestal I2 that is formed with inwardly inclined shoulders I3 and I4. These shoulders I3 and I4 are in converging relation.

Extending upwardly from the pedestal I2, centrally of the shoulders I3 and I4, is a vertical web I5 which, at the top, terminates in a thickened flange I6. This ange I6 definesinclined downwardly exposed shoulders I1.

The lining L comprises a top part I8 of inverted U-shaped cross-section. This part I8 presents a surface I9 which is the riding surface of the rail. Depending from the top part I8 on each side are a pair of side flanges 20 and 2| which, it will be noted, are spaced from the free edges of the flange I6. A side plate 22 has its lower end beveled whereby it is rendered complemental to the inclined shoulder I3 with which it interts. The upper end of this side plate is formed with a thickened portion 23 having an inclined face 24 that is complemental to one of the inclined surfaces |1 with which it engages. The thickened portion 23 also has a side face 25 which engages the corresponding face of the w all 20.

A welded joint between the side flange 20 and side plate 22 is shown at 26. Another side plate 21 is mounted on the opposite face of the web I5. This plate 21 has a lower bevel edge complemental to the inclined shoulder I4 with which it interts and an upper thickened portion 28 having an inclined face engaging the face I1 and a straight side face engaging the inner surface of the ange 2 I. A welded joint at 29 establishes the permanent connection between the side plate 21 and the flange 2|.

Upon referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the several sections of the bases B meet at junctions or joints represented at 30 whereas the linings L meet at joints designated 3|. An important feature of the invention is that the joints 30 and 3| do not coincide, that is, the linings L overlap and completely cover the joints 30 between the base sections. This arrangement can be readily accommodated by staggering the lining sections with respect to the base sections. As shown in Figure 2, it is desirable to have each joint 3| of the lining substantially midway between the joints 30 of the base sections.

While it is believed to be unnecessary to ancher al1 of the linings L to the bases B, such anchorage may be accomplished in the manner shown in Figure 3 in which headed bolts 32 pass through aligned openings in the webs I5 and side plates 22 and 21.

The composite rails are laid end to end as indicated in Figure 1, preferably with a space for longitudinal expansion left between adjacent sections. This space may be iilled with any suitable material (not shown) to protect the joint as is well known in the art.

Occasions may arise when it is desirable to establish a joint between one of the new composite sections and an old standard section. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In these views the old standard rails are shown at 0 and as having a regular thick top flange 33. The base section B of one of the new rails R abuts the end of the rail section O on the line represented at 34 in Figure 5. A lining section L which preferably will be one-half the standard length is positioned over the base B and engages the rail O at the top ange 33 along the line 35 in Figures 4 and 5.

Fish plates shown at 33 and having beads 31 and 38 on the upper and lower edges thereof, respectively, may be secured to the rails O and R in a well-known manner by the bolts shown at 39. Should there be any discrepancies in the thicknesses of the new rail R as compared to the old standard rail O, this may be accommodated by the construction of the sh plates 36.

The linings L and particularly the top parts I3 thereof may be made from a very hard metal such as case-.hardened steel as it is this portion of the rail which must resist the wear. The side plates 22 and 21 may be made of a less hard material and this is also true of the bases B. If desired, a good electrical conducting metal such as copper may be employed in making the side plates 22 Iand 21, to facilitate the flow of switching and signaling currents.

As shown in Figure 6, fish plates 36 may also be employed at joints between linings L of the new rails R. These plates 36 will be positioned on each side of the central web construction with the beads 31 engaging the inclined surfaces of the wide iiange i I and the top beads 38 engaging beneath the lower edges of the flanges 20 and thickened parts 23 on one side and the flange 2| and thickened part 28 on the other. A tie bolt shown at 40 may be employed to hold these plates 33 in position.

Another form of lining is disclosed in Figure 7. the illustration showing the lining L as being slid or pulled out longitudinally from the base B in order to indicate the slidability of the lining with respect to the base. In this particular case, the side plates 42, 44 are joined integrally with the top part 43. 'I'he T-shaped section can be formed in various ways as by rolling, practiced in the manner oi.' making ordinary steel rails, or the element may be extruded Vin extrusion presses since the side plates and the top part constitute, in effect, one piece. The side plates are spaced apart at a distance such as to provide a sliding fit with respect to the central web I5, and in this connection there is a slot and a, flared-out groove in the top flange in order slidably to receive the upper portion of the web I5 and the top flange I6. The thickened pedestal I2 of the base Il is provided at each side with down-wardly and inwardly extending shoulders as far as the web I5 in order to provide a ledge or shelf on which the side plates 42, 44 can slidably rest. The taper of the shoulders I3, I4 is at such angle as to prevent any appreciable lateral movement outwardly of the side plates 42, 44 after the lining has been slid over the web portion of the rail for placement in position.

5 It is evident that any time one of the linings L becomes worn, it may be readily replaced without discarding the entire ran. This is beneved to'accomplish a substantial saving in this field. Moreover', under cert-ain conditions, it may be possible to cut away the welded joints at 26 and 29 and salvage the side plates 22 and 21 in which little or no wear appears so that only the top parts I8 of the rails will have to be replaced.

While preferred specific embodiments of the in# vention are hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a composite rail of the character described; a base comprising a bottom iiange, a pedestal upstanding from the central portion of said ange, a vertical web upstanding from saidV pedestal, downwardly inclined shoulders on said pedestal converging inwardly toward said web, and a top ii-ange at the upper edge of said web and a lining comprising a top part of inverted U cross-section having depending side iianges, side plates positioned on opposite sides of said web and extending from said shoulders to lche underface of said top part; each of said side plates having a thickened part at the top that is disposed in the space deilned by one of said side anges, one side of said web, one side of said top iiange, and the underface of said top part, and a welded joint between the free edge of each side iiange and the respective thickened part of a side plate.

2. In a composite rail, a base including a bottom ange, a vertical web integrally secured to said flange to form shoulders on opposite sides thereof, said shoulders having downwardly and inwardly extending surfaces, said web terminating at the top in an inverted triangular member Avxtending parallel to the length of the web, a lining for said web including a rail portion and side plates, a groove of inverted triangular configuration in said rail portion for slidably receiving the inverted triangular member of the web.

said side plates being tapered along the lower edges in order slidably to flt into the shouldered surfaces of the base portion, which together with said inverted triangular member and groove serve to prevent lateral movement of the side plates and rail portion with respect to said web.

3. In a composite rail, a base including a bot- 6 respect to said web and the taperof the lower edges of said side portions iltting into the shouldered surfaces of the web constituting the sole means for preventing lateral movement of the side plates and rail element with respect to the web.

4. In a composite rail; a. base comprising a bottom ange, a vertical web of solid formation which terminates at the top in a triangularly shaped solid portion, the base of which is positioned remote from said nange, and a lining comprising a pair of side plates and a rail element integrally secured together and provided with a longitudinal opening of such size and shape as slidably to fit over said web and the upy per triangularly shaped portion thereof, and means for permitting the lining element to be presented edgewise to the web and its triangular-4 ly shaped portion, said means comprising tapered surfaces provided on the bottom flange which are inclined inwardly and downwardly to iit corresponding tapered surfaces on said side plates, which together with the triangularly shaped top portion of the web prevent all lateral movement of the side plates and rail element with respect to said web.

5. In a composite rail, a base including a bottom flange, a vertical web integrally secured to said flange to form shoulders on opposite sides thereof, said shoulders having downwardly and inwardly extending surfaces, said web terminating at the top in an inverted triangular member extending parallel to the length of the web, a lining for said web including a rail element and a pair of side plates positionedon opposite sides ofthe web, said side plates being secured to the rail element and being tapered along the lower tom flange, a vertical web integrally secured to said flange to form shoulders on opposite sides thereof, said shoulders having downwardly and inwardly extending surfaces, said web terminating at the top in a member having sides which I flare upwardly and outwardly from the web to provide an uppermost surface which is wider than the thicknessI of the web, a lining for the web having a rail portion and a pair of side portions positioned 'on opposite sides of the web, the lower edges of said side portions being tapered in order slidably to nt into the shouldered surfaces of the web, and a groove extending along the rail portion having a conilguration such as snugly but slidably to receive said ilared member, said groove and its contained flared member constituting the sole means for preventing vertical movement of the side plates and rail element with edges in order slidably to fit into the shouldered surfaces of the base portion, a groove of inverted triangular configuration formed between said side plates and adapted snugly but slidably to receive the inverted triangular member of the web, the width across the uppermost surface of the triangular member being substantially greater than the thickness of the web in order to provide a firm support for the rail element, said inverted triangular member and groove, and the tapered enges o1 the side plates tting into the tapered surfaces of the ange serving to prevent lateral and vertical movement of the rail .element with respect to said web. I

WILLIAM W. McQUAlD. GEORGE R. McQUAID.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lle of this patent:

- UNITED STATES PATENTS i Great Britain ....01 1865 

